Method of production of a zipper by weaving

ABSTRACT

A method of the production of a slide fastener by weaving, which comprises the steps of bending over a continuous profile strand about a loop forming core within the range of the weaving point for the formation of a row of coupling members, and guiding back and forth the profile strand of synthetic material as a warp thread shedding through the weaving plane. Thereby the profile strand is guided in a cycle, at some points reversing about the loop forming core, and binding the profile strand within the range of the rearward return points by means of at least one woof thread loop.

United States Patent 1191 Glindmeyer eta1.

[ Oct. 16, 1973 METHOD OF PRODUCTION OF A ZIPPER BY WEAVING [73]Assignee: Firma William Prym-Werke KG,

Stolberg, Germany 1221 Filed: Apr. 14, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 133,791

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Apr. 14, 1970 Germany P 20 17739.3

[52] US. Cl. 139/35, 139/116, 139/384 B, 24/205.l C

[51] Int. Cl D03d 41/00 [58] Field of Search 139/35, 46, 11, 116,139/384 B; 24/205, 205.12, 205.15, 205.16

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,692,068 9/1972 Auer139/]16 3/1961 Park et a1. 139/46 OTHER PUBLICATIONS 1263634 GermanPublication to Toelle of 5-1964.

Primary Examiner l-lenry S. .laudon I AttorneyErnest G. Montague [5 7ABSTRACT A method of the production of a slide fastener by weaving,which comprises the steps of bending over a continuous profile strandabout a loop forming core within the range of the weaving point for theformation of a row of coupling members, and guiding back and forth theprofile strand of synthetic material as a warp thread shedding throughthe weaving plane. Therebythe profile strand is guided in a cycle, atsome points reversing about the loop forming core, and binding theprofile strand within the range of the rearward return points by meansof at least one woof thread loop.

7 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUCT 16 I975 SHEET 2 BF 3 FIQZaMETHOD OF PRODUCTION OF A ZIPPER BY WEAVING The present inventionrelates to a method of production of a slide fastener by weaving,whereby within the range of the weaving area for the formation of a rowof dome members a continuous profile strand of synthetic material isturned around a loop-forming hook and bound in a band fabric.

Woven slide fasteners, in which the windings of the rows of dome membersare created by reciprocation of a weft thread consisting of syntheticmaterial during the weaving, have the drawback, that the weaving processcan be performed only with two shuttles at a comparatively low workingspeed.

It is a further drawback, that stops result during weaving, becauseempty weft spools in the shuttles must be exchanged.

In other production methods of slide fasteners firmly wound rows of domemembers of threads of synthetic material are used, which during weavingof the carrying band are bound afterward to the carrying band fabric bythe weft.

Prior to the weaving, particular working steps are required for theformation of the rows of dome members. Furthermore, difficulties arecreated, to insert the weft threads during the weaving process into thecorrect voids of the wound row of dome members, for which reason,complicated additional devices are required therefor.

It is finally known, to cause reciprocation of a warp thread consistingof synthetic material, between the two arms of a Y-shaped carrying band,yet after the weaving particular deformations of the wovenin thread ofsynthetic material is required, in order that, seen in the profile, aflat row of U-shaped dome members are obtained. The labor required forthe formation of the finished rows of dome members are here performedafter the weaving.

It is one object of the present invention, to provide a method ofproduction of a slide fastener by weaving and to develop at first aweaving process for a slide fastener of the above-stated type, where thefinished spatial windings of the profile strand of synthetic materialare produced for the formation of the dome members in a possiblysimplest, reliable and fast manner during the weaving process.

It is another object of the present invention, to provide a method ofproduction of a slide fastener by weaving, wherein the member formingprofile strand of synthetic material is guided through the weave-planein a reciprocating manner forming several threads as a warp thread andthereby, reversing is guided in a cycle about a loop forming hook and isbound within the range of the rearward reversing positions by means ofat least one weft thread loop. The member forming warp thread isdisposed thereby alternately on one or the other side of the loopforming hook.

Instead of subjecting the loop forming hook to a lateral movement, themember forming warp thread should move additionally to its weavingstroke movements in a cycle move laterally outwardly.

During its alternating position on the one or the other side of the loopforming core the member forming warp thread is lowered below the weavingplane, in order to be overgripped by the weft insert.

The guidance of the member forming warp thread concerning the loopforming hook takes place in a manner of a leno weave, where the hookforms the setting thread" and the member forming warp thread the pilethread, which in relation to the loop forming hook is zig-zag-shaped andis brought in reciprocating manner from one side of the hook to theother and back again. In accordance with the present invention, it is tobe added that the loop forming hook, which forms the axis of the pilesafter tying of the member forming warp thread, is withdrawn againcompletely from the woven product, so that the windings of the memberforming warp thread remain and the finished row of members is created.

With the present invention, a non-objectionable woven slide fastener canbe produced in a particularly simple manner. The member forming profilestrand, working as a warp thread, permits high working speeds during theweaving. The warp thread can be selectively long, whereby a stopping ofthe weaving due to emptying of the thread storage practically does notplay any significance. Since the dome members are produced directlyduring the weaving of the carrying bands, the latter are not only inexact adjustment to the weaving, rather are also gripped at the desiredpoint by the warp threads, without providing therefor any particularmeasures and additional devices.

The cross section of the dome members results from the size and form ofthe hook. The weft succession and the weaving removal determine thedistance between adjacent dome members.

As a further distinction relative to the known len-o weave, is to be setforth, that between the weft inserts which tie up the loops or piles ofthe member forming warp thread on the woven product, at least onefurther weft extending merely in the band woven product is introduced.Even if the introduction of the warp thread in its function as tyingweft for the dome members on the one hand and merely as the weavingproduction weft extending in the band weaving, on the other hand,

can follow in series in a multiple number, it is advisable for thereason of cost as well as for reason of a possibly simplest control toperform these two functions of the weft thread together alternately. Theweft insertion itself can take place in any of the known manners byexample by means of shuttles. Suitably it is, however, to perform theweft insertion on so-called shuttle-free looms by a weft insertionneedle, where from one side of the woven product the warp thread isinserted as a warp thread loop with a double thread piece, the loop endof which is inter-connected on the opposite woven edge either withprevious loop ends directly or by means of a further additional thread.The interconnection of the loop ends takes place suitably on the edge ofthe carrying band woven product disposed opposite the row of domemembers.

The above mentioned tying of the rearward reversed positions by at leastone warp thread loop amounts to the fact, that a simple or multiplethread piece of the row of dome members is gripped at the points, whichupper shed or lower shed. It is advisable, that in addition to thedeviations-of the member forming warp thread with the part of the loopforming hook lying freely and not bound, to perform synchroniously andin a cycle deviation movements, in order to meet the movements of themember forming warp thread. Thus it would be suitable for the loweringof the stroke movement of the member forming warp thread, to lower alsothe loop forming hook somewhat to the weaving plane, yet even in thiscase the loop forming core is brought not through the weaving plane intothe oppositely disposed weaving shed during the weaving, rather formsthe weaving plane, which is determined by the weft insertionrneedle, thelimit of its vertical movement. In some cases, it is suitable to equipthe member forming warp thread at predetermined distances in particularwithin the range of the dome faces and/or rearward reversing positionswith deformations. Also it is possible to produce thereby abutments,which set the depth of the engagement of the cooperating other row ofdome members.

The present invention is directed, however, also to an apparatus forperforming of the previously mentioned method where a movable threadguide and a hook is used. The present invention is characterizedrelative to the known structures preferably such, that in the threadguide a member forming warp thread is received and by means of thethread guide alternately on one or the other side of the hook formed asa loop forming hook is insertable into the range of the tying position.In order to obtain a non-objectionally thread performance along the loopforming hook up to the tying position, it is advisable, to equip thehook in this range with an angular arrangement.

With these and other objects in view, 'which will become apparent in thefollowing detailed description,

- the present invention, which is shown by example only,

will be clearly understood in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a partly perspective view of the weaving position range of thesliding fastener, whereby the conventional parts of the loom have-beenomitted for a clearer showing while, however, the thread guide for themember forming warpthread is shown;

FIGS. 2a to 5a are schematic plan views of the weaving point of thesliding fastener in different working steps;

FIGS. 2b to 5b are schematic showings of correspending side elevationsof the weavingpoint for the different previously mentioned workingsteps; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic working scheme for the working movement of thethread guide device for the guidance of the member forming warp threadduring the different working steps in accordance with the previousFigures.

Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof for theweaving production of the slide fastener 10 within the range of thecarrying band part are provided in addition to a greater number of warpthreads 11 a continuously woven-in weft thread 12, while for theformation of a row of dome members 13 a profile strand 14 of syntheticmaterial is woven-in in the edge range of the woven product. Thisprofile strand is guided'as member-forming warp thread 14. It performscorresponding with the working manner of the warp 11 in the section infront of the shuttle abutment position l6, the formation of a shed l7through which by the next following shuttle insertion a further partpiece of the weft thread 12 is fed through. As a weft insertion meansserves here a shuttle, which is not particularly shown, as well as theweaving comb abutting the weft thread 12 is omitted. Finally also theconventional weft shafts are not shown, which by the formation of theshed 17 spread the web threads 11 into an upper warp thread shed 18 anda lower warp thread shed 19.

The operation of the individual warp threads 11 in the high position 18or the low position 19, follows the desired weaving binding, accordinglythe warp threads 11 are pulled in the weaving shafts and the latter aremoved upwardly and downwardly.

The member forming warp thread 14 is not moved however up-and downwardlyalone in a stroke movement 22, whereby it reaches a high position or alow position, rather it is subjected to a displacement movement 23 inform a type of a leno weave. The warp thread 14 cooperates thereby witha loop forming core 20 in the manner of a leno weave." The memberforming warp thread 14 is moved from one side of the core to the otherand back again in the manner of a loop thread relative to the loopforming core 20, whichperforms the function of a setting thread,reversing in a cycle from one side of the hook to the other and againreversed. This movement is produced by a particular thread guide 21 forthe warp thread 14.

The thread guide v21 comprises guide sleeves 24, which perform by meansof a rod arrangement, not particularly shown,-as well as thecomplementing excentries a vertical upward and downward movement 22 inthe'direction-of the arrow shown in the drawing. In the guide sleeves 24is displaceably mounted a guide rod 25 which performs by means of apurther, not particularly shown excentric drive, a horizontal movement23 in the direction of the double arrow. The guide rod 25 serves as acarrier for a guide needle 26, through its guide eye 27 of which themember forming warp thread 14 is threaded through. While in a band looma plurality of weaving positions are provided in distance from eachother, on which simultaneously slide fasteners are woven, the guide rod25 is suitably extended over the total width of the loom, by mountingthe same in additional guide sleeves, whereby on each weaving position acorresponding guide needle 26 is provided for a member forming warpthread.

In the further drawings a possibility of a weaving production of a slidefastener in accordance with the present invention is more clearlydisclosed with the arrangem ent of four successive working steps. Inparticular, from each working step a top plan view and a side elevationare shown. It is to be understood, that the present invention is notlimited to this predetermined working manner. For the nomination of theindividual threads and thread groups the same numerals as in theprevious embodiment are used.

Referring now again to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 2a and 2b,showing thefirst working step of the weaving process, the member formingwarp thread 14 is disposed at-first to the right from the loop forminghook 20, if one looks towards the goods removing direction 28 onto theweaving point. The member forming warp thread 14 is in view of theposition of its thread-guiding element (not shown) in the range of thelow position 19 of the remaining warp threads. Contrary thereto isdisposed the loop forming hook 20 is disposed starting from an angulararrangement 40 within the range of the shuttle abutment point 16, withinthe range of the high position 18 with its unbound end. After spreadingof the shed 17 it comes not to the insertion of a thread part a. Sincein the present case a shuttle insertion needle 29 in a loom having noshuttles is used for the warp insertion, which is to be recognized in aside elevation merely in FIG. 2b, the warp insertions occur in loop formas a double thread. The warp insertion needle 29 is inserted from theband edge equipped with rows of dome members into the shed 17, while onthe member free opposite weaving edge 30 the loop ends 31 of the warpare pulled about the previous loop end, whereby at this edge 30 a row ofloops is formed drawn continuously into each other.

The warp thread 14 disposed during the previously stated warp threadinsert above the loop forming hook forms now in the presentwarp threadinsert a loop arm 32 which is disposed above the hook 20, by the warpthread parts a overlapping the warp thread insert. By this warp insert acare is taken that the warp thread 14 is gripped and is bound to theweave. The warp thread insert exerts thus here the function of a membertie-in. Thereafter, the warp insert a is pressed to the shuttle abutmentpoint 16 by a comb which is not shown.

During the next working step, in accordance with FIGS. 3a and 3b thewarp threads 11 are spread in a different distribution to their highpositions 18 and low positions 19, respectively, for the formation tothe next shed 17, as it is prescribed by the weaving binding. The loopforming hook 20 is disposed unchanged still in the high position 18. Yetalso the member forming warp thread 14 is now transformed by its threadguide into the high position 18 of the shed 17. In the now followingwarp insert b the warp thread 14 is not gripped, so that, it leads nowonly to a continuation of the carrying band part 15. In view of thisparticular function, one could characterize this warp insert b asweaving construction warp. On the member free edge 30, the loop end 31is bound in the manner of a loop with the previous loop end 31 of theprevious warp insert a, which is taken care of by a crochet needle (notshown), the appearance, function and working manner is known.

Upon abutment of the shuttle b the next working step, shown in FIGS. 4aand 4b, results. In accordance with the binding, the warp threads arespread for the formation of the shed in the high position 18 and the lowposition 19 in the correct distribution. Now the member forming warpthread 14 is again in the low position, while the loop forming hook 20is disposed unchanged within the range of the high position 18. By theshuttle insert c which takes place now, the member forming warp thread14 is again over-lapped and bound by its warp thread parts to thefabric, for which reason one could characterize this shuttle insert inits particular function as member binding shuttle. By its thread guidingelement, however, the member warp thread is brought to the left side ofthe loop forming hook 20, as it is shown in FIG. 4a. During the warpinsert the member forming warpv thread is pulled below the loop forminghook 20 into the fabric as it is indicated in FIG.

4a. A bow-shaped rearward reversing position 36 is thereby created,which is disposed below the loop forming hook 20.

In comparable manner during the first described warp insert a whichcould be characterized also as member tie-in warp, a correspondingrearward reversing position 33 has been created, which, however, jointlywith the corresponding binding arms 32 and 34 came to lie above the loopforming hook 20.

In the last warp insert 0 the warp thread loop, inserted as a doublethread, is suspended with its end 31 with the previous loop 31 in loopform. Within the range of the row of the dome members 13 a further looparm 35 disposed below the hook 20 is created. The pulling through of therearward bow 36 below the loop forming hook 20 can be simplified by stepwise release of the thread tension in the member warp thread 14 at thisworking type point. It is feasible to provide additional control devicesfor this movement of the member warp thread.

Upon abutment of the warp insert 0, this working step is terminatedandit leads to the last working step in the present'cycle of the weavingprocess, which is shown more clearly in FIGS.'5a and 5b.

Corresponding with the weaving binding the warp thread of the carryingband part 15 are brought into the high position 18 and the low position19, respectively, for the formation of the shed 17. The member warpthread 14 is disposed in the top plan view of FIG. 5a

. still on the left side of the loop forming hook 20; Its

thread guiding element brought, however, clearly shown in FIG. 5b, thewarp thread 14 into the high position 18. In the shuttle insert d now,taking place now, the member forming warp thread 14 is not gripped,whereby its present function resides merely in a further weaving buildup.- The loop arm 37, disposed on the row of members merely below theloop forming hook 20, is created. The loop end 31" .formed in loop format the free edge 30 by the insert d is connected with the previous loopend 31" in form of a loop. After abutment of the weft in the nextworking phase the first described working step in accordance with FIGS.2a and 2b is again repeated.

As can be ascertained, in this weaving process a row of dome members inform of a spatial meander, the rearward reversing positions 33 and 36being alternately above and below the loop forming hook 20, is created.In the different side views for reason of clarity of the showing, theposition of these rearward bows 33 and 36 are shown in different planes,in order to render more clearly the run'of the windings. In reality therearward reversing positions contract practically on the carrying-bandplane behind the loop forming hook 20, so that the loop forming hook issurrounded by the windings of the warp thread 14 in form of a C.

The angular. formation 40 of the loop forming hook 20 is significantlywithin the range of a warp abutment position 16, because the formedloops 32, 34, 35 and 37 move on the inclined hook as on a ramp by itselfagainst the warp abutment position 16, in order to be bound there in themanner of a warp. On the side remote from the carrying band part 15 ofthe loop forming hook 20 the actual engagement loops 30 and 39, causinga coupling, come to lie, which engagement loops 30 and 39 are broughtinto engagement in the finished slide fastener with mirror-like insertedcoupling members. The formation of dome faces in this loop part 38' and39 can be favored by previous deformations of the warp thread 14. Byweakenings of the cross section it would be further simplified to formthe rearward reversing position 33 and 36.

The working manner, described in F165. 2 to 5, of guiding thereby saidprofile strand in a cycle, at some the member forming warp thread 14 isshown in FIG. points reversing about said loop forming core, 6schematically again. One recognizes a cross section binding said profilestrand within the range of rearthrough the loop forming hook 20. Aroundthe latter ward return points by means of at least one woof are shownfour working points A. B. C. D, which demth d l p, and ohshate thePosition of the thread guiding element moving said warp thread laterallywithin said cycle the member forming p thread 14 relative to theadditionally to weaving stroke movements. p forming hook The WorkingPoiht A cone" 2. The method, as set forth in claim 1, which includessponds with the position of the thread guiding element the step f theWorking ep of FIGS- Pf and 2h T warp introducing at least one furtherweft thread extending thread IS disposed in the low position at theright from solely in the band fabric the hook. Thereafter its threadguiding element moves 3 ,The method as set forth in Claim 1, whichincludes still on the right side of hook 20, into the high position theStep of whereby the worhihg step of FIGS and 3b is providingdeformations in predtermined spacings of reached. 15 waid wa rp threadwithin the range of dome faces. Thereafter the thread gmdmg element 18brought to 4. The method, as set forth in claim 1, which includes theleft side of the loop forming hook 20 and there lowthe Step'of ered atfirst into the low osition to the workin oint C whereby the conditicFnsof the working st egs of h deformations.hpmdetermmed spacmgs. of FIGS.4a and 4b are realized. Finally the member form- 20 sald warp threadwlthm the range of reversmg 'nts. mg warp thread 14 reaches, remainingon the left side pol of the forming hook 20 in the high position to thework- 2; 3 as fmh whch mch'des ing point D, which represents the workingstep in accordance with FIGS. 5a and 5b. Thereafter the thread holdmg ahoh'bound part of Sald loop formmg core guiding element is moved back tothe working point A, 9 one Side of the weavmg Plane durmg the whereuponthe working cycle repeam mg stroke movements of said warp threads.

While we have disclosed several embodiments of the The method as setforth in Claim which includes present invention it is to be understoodthat these emthe Step f bodiments are given by example only and not in alimit- Performing P e hoh'houhd P of Said P P formi Sense, mg core 1nits turn synchronous releasing movew l i ments within said cycle, inaddition to the release 1. A method of production of a slide fastener byof Said p thfeadsweaving, co prisin h steps f 7. The method, as setforth in claim 1, which lncludes bending over back and forth acontinuous profile the p of strand of synthetic material as a warpthread about owering said Warp threads alternately on one of the a loopforming core within the range of a weaving sides of said loop formingcore below the weaving point for the formation of a row of couplingmemplane. bets

1. A method of production of a slide fastener by weaving, comprising thesteps of bending over back and forth a continuous profile strand ofsynthetic material as a warp thread about a loop forming core within therange of a weaving point for the formation of a row of coupling members,guiding thereby said profile strand in a cycle, at some points reversingabout said loop forming core, binding said profile strand within therange of rearward return points by means of at least one woof threadloop, and moving said warp thread laterally within said cycleAdditionally to weaving stroke movements.
 2. The method, as set forth inclaim 1, which includes the step of introducing at least one furtherweft thread extending solely in the band fabric.
 3. The method, as setforth in claim 1, which includes the step of providing deformations inpredtermined spacings of waid warp thread within the range of domefaces.
 4. The method, as set forth in claim 1, which includes the stepof providing deformations in predetermined spacings of said warp threadwithin the range of reversing points.
 5. The method, as set forth inclaim 1, which includes the step of holding a non-bound part of saidloop forming core on one side of the weaving plane during the weavingstroke movements of said warp threads.
 6. The method, as set forth inclaim 1, which includes the step of performing of said non-bound part ofsaid loop forming core in its turn synchronous releasing movementswithin said cycle, in addition to the release of said warp threads. 7.The method, as set forth in claim 1, which includes the step of loweringsaid warp threads alternately on one of the sides of said loop formingcore below the weaving plane.